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Denton:

HOLY SPOKES The Life of John B. Denton The Minister, Militiaman who Became the City’s Namesake DENTON’S BIKE SCENE

Sam O’NEILBass: FORD The Texas Thief Find Out Where the Outlaw Hid His Loot CITY’S FAMED ARCHITECT

Best Historic Landmarks Our Picks for Denton County’s Top Spots From its Past

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JUNE 2012

ON THE RECORD

WHAT’S INSIDE

VOL.4 ISSUE 1 JUNE 2012

ARTS & LIFE

ART IN PUBLIC PLACES Denton’s Open Air Art

SCENIC STROLL Path Highlights Campus Art

JULIET”S JEWELS Globetrotter Teaches Meditation

FASHION Texas Colllection at UNT

FEATURES 10 FIGHTING SPECTACLE Xtreme Championship Wrestling 13 ROUND ONE Mixed Martial Arts in Denton 14 WIND FARM Breezy Energy In North Texas 16 ROLLIN’ Denton’s Culture Of Biking

UNT 22 NERDS OF A FEATHER Alternative Communities 24 WINGIN’ IT Research & Conservation 27 KEEPIN’ THRIFTY Affordable Shopping Options

JUNE 2012

ON THE COVER: BOBBY “THE LUMBERJACK” LAMBERT. PHOTO BY PATRICK HOWARD VISIT NTDAILY.COM FOR VIDEOS AND MORE STORIES

ON THE RECORD

ON THE RECORD STAFF EDITOR IN CHIEF PAUL BOTTONI MANAGING EDITOR ALEX MACON PHOTO EDITOR JAMES COREAS MULTIMEDIA & DESIGN EDITOR SAMANTHA GUZMAN SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Nicole Balderas Ashley Grant

SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Patrick Howard Amber Plumley

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Tyler Cleveland Desiree Cousineau

STAFF DESIGNERS Parnia Tahamzadeh Andrew Tellez

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: ALEX MACON, SAMANTHA GUZMAN, PAUL BOTTONI, JAMES COREAS

STAFF WRITERS

Caroline Basile H. Drew Blackburn Ashley-Crystal Firstley Ryne Gannoe Kyle Harty Holly Harvey Michelle Heath Nadia Hill Emily Hopkins Katie Olson Ben Peyton Jason Yang

STAFF VIDEOGRAPHER Alec Gates JUNE 2012

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ART IN THE AIR

can be found on the walls of Ramen Republic and the inside of Jupiter House. “I haven’t taken art classes since the third grade,” Orbock said. Orbock, who relies on conceptualism and trial and error with his art, likens painting to cooking. Some of his work is up for sale at Jupiter House, and Orbock said one of his pieces was purchased last year

DENTON’S PUBLIC ART BY H. DREW BLACKBURN

ome art is meant to be admired, analyzed and appraised in posh galleries by a nebulously defined intellectual elite. Other art can be found in a more public natural habitat. Throughout Denton, the work of local artists is found hanging from coffee shop walls and looking down from the walls of buildings. UNT student and artist Jon Orbock has painted murals for 35 Denton and local businesses, some of which

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Music and art. That’s what Denton is all about.

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by Mayor Mark Burroughs. Local businesses such as Banter, Art 6, Jupiter House and Big Mike’s

BodyScaping

Coffee Shop all feature alluring work from local artists. Mike Sutton, owner of Big Mike’s Coffee Shop, praises the mural on the outside of his haven for late night studies, which depicts a student guzzling coffee. “The key point in seeing it is coming through campus.” Sutton said. “My business skyrocketed after I put that thing out there.” The lesson seems clear: If you paint it, they will come. Christian Millet, public arts coordinator for 35 Denton, said murals commissioned by the fest and emblazoned on walls around the city utilized local artists from outside the mainstream. Anyone looking for evidence of Denton’s artistic credibility needs only to go outside. “Music and art,” Millet said. “That’s what Denton is all about. It sounds funny depending where you’re at, but if you’re not a writer, if you’re not a musician, if you’re not an artist, I really don’t know what you’re doing in Denton.”

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JUNE 2012

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THE CAMPUS ART WALK PATH SHOWS OFF UNT ART BY ASHLEY GRANT

white dump truck with orange rust stains marking its age remains permanently parked next to a small pond outside the Art Building’s doors. Tall yellow sunflowers and other plants sprout from the makeshift garden falling out of the back of the truck, a piece of art that has ingrained itself into UNT’s campus as much as any building or sidewalk. The installation, created by Bulgarianborn artist Daniel Bozhkov, is one of more than 80 works scattered throughout campus for “Art in Public Places,” the university’s collection of public art. “Through the lens of art, you get to know the campus,” said Victoria DeCuir, registrar for Art in Public Places. “They [the art] help tell the story of UNT.” Art in Public Places at UNT has its very own self-guided walking tour, Art Path, open to students or anyone curious about the history of the campus. The tour highlights 36 artworks and offers a brief description of how each of the pieces came to call UNT home. DeCuir said each and every piece of art in the collection has its own story to tell, some more convoluted than others, such as “The Student” sculpture in Chilton Hall. “It was originally placed in the men’s dormitory and disappeared for a number of years. While the building was being renovated it was found buried underground,” DeCuir said. The university eventually restored the broken and battered sculpture, although it’s not the eight-foot giant it once was.

The Art Path began in 2009 under former UNT President Gretchen Bataille, who wanted to capitalize on the art already on campus and acquire new additions, said Tracee Robertson, director of the program. Shortly after its inception, Bataille implemented the “Percent for Art Policy” to acquire new works for buildings scheduled for construction or renovation, Robertson said. “It states that for any new construction or renovation project above a certain dollar amount, one percent of the funds is to be set aside for the commission or purchase, as well as maintenance of artwork for that location,” she said. When renovation or construction projects first get underway, the Art in Public Places committee begins talks with the people who live or work in those locations about what should be placed in the public areas of the buildings. “We communicate with the people at Sage Hall,for example,which is undergoing major renovations, about how the artwork is going to function in that building and how it’s going to serve UNT students and the community,” DeCuir said. “We then liaise with artists and artist professionals to look at a list of artists who are interested

in submitting either project proposals or finished artworks.” DeCuir said in the future, the Art in Public Places committee hopes to do more extensive research on the artworks and create a large catalog that the general public can access. Robertson, who is also a UNT alumna, said she had personally learned a lot about the history of the university through the public art displayed on campus. She said people on campus and in the Denton community could stand to learn from the public art, too. “It provides more than just aesthetics,” she said. “It creates a sense of belonging.” Brochures and maps are available at the Dean’s Office in the College of Visual Arts and Design as well as in the Union. Those seeking a more structured route, or more information about the works, can request a docent to accompany the tour, a guide who is capable of dishing out information that can’t be found in the confining spaces of the Art Path’s brochure. UNT GRADUATE STUDENT STERLING COOK CREATED “THE STUDENT” SCULPTURE IN 1940. THE SCULPTURE IS LOCATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF CHILTON HALL. PHOTO BY AMBER PLUMLEY

JUNE 2012

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THE EUROPEAN GETAWAY WILDWOOD INN HOSTS WEDDINGS, MORE BY CAROLINE BASILE

ehind a wrought iron gate, hidden away on Lillian Miller Parkway, is a sprawling four-acre lot where Denton’s premier luxury hotel stands. The Wildwood Inn is a Europeanstyle hotel offering 14 rooms. It blends the ideas of a bed and breakfast with a high-class hotel. Built in 2001, the hotel includes a four-star restaurant featuring local chef Pam Chittenden. The restaurant is open to the public Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 6 to 10 p.m., and is also open for a Sunday brunch. The inn was sold in 2006 to UNT alumni Sarah and Keith Waters. Hotel manager and wedding coordinator Kendra Howell has been with the Wildwood for four years. “People always think we’re someone’s big, old house but we were built new to look old; it’s very unique,” Howell said. The inn regularly hosts dinners and business meetings for UNT. “Most of our wait staff in the restaurant are UNT students,” Howell said. “They’re all from different backgrounds and majors, like French,

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English and psychology, and not just hospitality management.” Howell saidWildwood Inn holds about 110 weddings a year, each one a unique experience with a different theme. “Every day is different and we have

“

We were built new to look old; it’s very unique.

”

different brides every time,” she said. “We’ve had everything from very gothic weddings, to ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Moulin Rouge’ themed. There’s not really one special moment that stands out but there’s always that one moment during the night where you see how in love they are and it just brings tears to your eyes.” The cost of hosting a wedding at the inn varies, Howell said. Prices range from $4,500 to $8,500 or higher,

depending on a variety of factors such as the number of guests, decorations, cake and how many rooms are needed. Denton bakery Candy Haven has a partnership with the Wildwood Inn, baking most of the wedding cakes offered in the hotel’s various packages. “We try to give back to Denton as much as possible,” Howell says. “It’s a great town to live in and we’re happy to be here and be a part of that.” Assistant front counter manager and UNT student Taelor Bailey, who has been with the Wildwood for more than two years, said she enjoys building a relationship with each guest that stays at the inn. “It’s just coming in and getting the experience,” she said. “It becomes so personal and you bond with the guests. They become like your friends and family and it’s always a little sad to see them check out and leave.”

THE WILDWOOD INN BOUTIQUE HOTEL IS LOCATED 2602 LILLIAN MILLER BUSINESS PARKWAY. THE HOTEL OFFERS AN 1100-SQUARE-FOOT PRIVATE DINING ROOM FOR WEDDINGS, RECEPTIONS AND SPECIAL EVENTS. PHOTO BY JAMES COREAS

ON THE RECORD

GLOBAL JEWELS BY NICOLE BALDERAS

awa Juliet Sangmu didn’t come to the U.S. planning to start Juliet’s Jewels – a shop and meditation center at 315 W. Sycamore St. – but she said it saved her life. Now the shop, which has jewelry and clothing from Thailand to India, is nearing its 11th year in business. Sangmu grew up in Dr. Graham’s homes, a charity-based boarding school started by Christian missionaries in India. In her 16 years at the school, she helped care for orphaned babies and said she learned the true meaning of compassion. “So many of us came from broken homes,” Sangmu said. “We are each other’s family.” After a move to the U.S. and a divorce, Sangmu joined the U.S. Army for the chance to be closer to her homeland. Sangmu returned to Denton after only two months in basic training, saying she wasn’t cut out for the more violent aspects of military life. “When it came to the point where we had to be angry and kill, I thought, I wasn’t going to do that,” Sangmu said. After receiving some jewelry from her aunt in India, Sangmu asked to receive more to give as gifts to friends. The jewelry piqued her friends’ interest, and Sangmu began selling jewelry at local businesses. After making $1,800 in one night, Sangmu realized her new hobby had potential to be a fulltime job. Since Sangmu opened Juliet’s Jewels

more than 11 years ago, she has made many pilgrimages overseas to collect one-of-a-kind treasures for her shop. By buying directly from wholesale markets, Sangmu is able to make items in her shop affordable. “I live here so I don’t have to pay an overhead fee. Greed has to be left out because in the end I can’t take any of this with me,” Sangmu said. Though Sangmu had a Christian upbringing, she has found solace in the teachings of Buddhism. “I met with a monk in Dallas but was still going to church,” Sangmu said. “That night I had a dream that I was in a train and it crashed and Jesus said, ‘I’m Buddhist too,’ and I never looked back.” Sangmu now teaches Buddhism and meditation classes in a converted garage. Instead of power tools and a parked car, the room is filled with colorful meditation cushions scattered on the floor and inspirational wall hangings such as “The Wheel of Life” or “Bhavachakra,” which depicts key aspects of Buddha’s teachings. Those who attend the class regularly said they appreciate Sangmu’s natural

gift for teaching. “She doesn’t download a lot of information,” said Tia Lewellyn, who has attended some of the classes. “She listens to your questions and there is an open-based communication.” A natural globetrotter, Sangmu will spend a month traveling around Cambodia, Thailand and Japan. She plans to return with about 600 pounds of jewels and other findings. To give back to the place she grew up, Sangmu opened a shop called Julia’s Secret in India. The shop sells women’s undergarments and is maintained by family members back home. “I can be quite greedy when it comes to red velvet cake in my fridge,” Sangmu jokes. “But it is also important to remember that by benefitting others we benefit ourselves.”

TOP: JULIET’S JEWELS FEATURES HANDMADE JEWELRY, TAPESTRIES AND CLOTHING FROM COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD. BOTTOM LEFT TO RIGHT: HANDMADE RINGS, OWNER DAWA JULIET SANGMU, HANDMADE NECKLACES PHOTOS BY DESIREE COUSINEAU

JUNE 2012

ON THE RECORD

HISTORY VIA FASHION BY NICOLE BALDERAS

ucked inside of Scoular Hall, past the hallways of classrooms, is a journey through history by way of fashion. In 1938, Edward and Stanley Marcus of the Neiman Marcus family began assembling work from top fashion designers as a tribute to their late aunt. The growing assemblage of works from various eras came to UNT in 1972, and the Texas Fashion Collection has since evolved into a worldrenowned congregation of more than 18,000 pieces of clothing, shoes and other fashionable artifacts. The 4,500-square-foot room housing the collection feels more like the backstage of a fashion show than a showroom. The climate-controlled room – the temperature ranges from 65 to 70 degrees, although Dawn Figueroa, assistant curator of the collection, said it usually feels more like 62 – ensures the preservation of items in the room, some of which date back to the 1800s. A tour of the collection showcases couture gowns on mannequins inched close to one another and a staggering assortment of collectors’ items, including an original Chanel black and white suit made in France by Coco Chanel herself in 1958. “You don’t see items like this much anymore,” Figueroa said. “It’s rare to find an item made by the original designer.” A library of clothing items are stacked two rows high to conserve the limited space, and some items can only be reached by ladder. “The first two rows of the collection are arranged in retrospect by decade,” Figueroa said. “Viewers can see how fashion has changed through the decades.” The visual history lesson illustrates changes in fashion throughout the ages, from embellished Victorian-era dresses to the modesty of the Great Depression to the vibrant colors of the 1960s. In the next row, clothing is arranged alphabetically according to designer, featur-

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ing work from almost all of the major designers who were prominent in the 1900s. Hidden among the racks is an entire collection of furs from the 1920s, ranging from cheetah fur to monkey fur. Artifacts include a pair of three-inch Chinese binding shoes and a South American mummy-bundle textile from 1100 A.D.

Going Digital

Planned renovations to the University Union call for the destruction of Scoular Hall in June of 13, sending the Texas Fashion Collection packing. The current plan would move denizens of Scoular Hall to 42,800 square feet of space on Welch Street. Figueroa said preparations for the move have already begun. “The pieces will have to be covered with a cotton muslin, moved on racks and wheeled into a truck and be brought over to the new building a rack at a time,” she said. Every single item down to the last handbag is being inventoried on the digital li-

brary website. Help is coming from sources such as library science graduate student Doug Dunford, who is tasked with researching many off the oddities of the collection, such as 1960s futuristic stewardess attire, maternity dolls and other donations. So, far about 470 items out of 2,000 have been inventoried, said Collection Manager Edward Hoyenski. Layouts allocate about 5,000 square feet for the fashion collection in its temporary location on Welch Street. Selections from the Texas Fashion Collection are regularly displayed at a fashion gallery space in Dallas, “Fashion on Main,” and Figueroa hopes to one day open a space on UNT campus. The preservation of the collection is key, especially for students like fiber arts junior Marla Ross. “It’s amazing how much history is in one object.” DAWN FIGUEROA, ASSISTANT CURATOR OF THE TEXAS FASHION COLLECTION, HANDLES A PLEATED PEASANT DRESS. PHOTO BY AMBER PLUMLEY

ON THE RECORD

JUNE 2012

AGAINST THE ROPES

ON THE RECORD

IN THE RING WITH XCW WRESTLING BY ASHLEY GRANT

lying off the ropes, the Lumberjack extends his arm, his fist connecting with the face of the Boston Teabagger, sending the Revolutionary-era warrior headfirst onto the mat. The chokeslams, gutbusters, bulldogs, sleeper holds, clotheslines and elbow strikes practiced by members of Denton’s Xtreme Championship Wrestling Institute are more spectacle than backalley brawl, but the mental and physical challenges of professional wrestling are very real. “These guys are getting slammed on about a half-inch of padding, wood and steel,” said Nite Davis, owner of the recently-opened institute at 3737 Mingo Road. “The physical toll on the body after being in a wrestling match is equivalent to being in a serious car wreck because of the impact on their spines, joints and heads.” From 2000 to 2009, XCW toured the North Texas circuit. Davis, who wrestled professionally for 12 years, said wrestlers would subject their bodies to varying degrees of physical punishment with weekly shows from Decatur to Oklahoma City. A tanking economy forced an end to the hard-hitting shows – with the exception of rowdy, beer-soaked fan appreciation performances at Cool Beans Bar and Grill held once a year, the last in April – but the training only intensified, first at various gyms in the area and now at an official location. The doors to the new XCW Wrestling Institute opened in January, offering classes and workouts to those interested in

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learning the skills and techniques necessary to become professional wrestlers. It’s hard to imagine seeing names such as “TheBoston Teabagger” or “Big Sed” stamped on a jersey, but Davis said the men and women of XCW train and work at their craft like athletes in any sport. “Right now we just train guys and girls who want to become professional wrestlers,” Davis said.

“

THE PHYSICAL TOLL ON THE BODY AFTER BEING IN A WRESTLING MATCH IS EQUIVALENT TO BEING IN A SERIOUS CAR WRECK

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“It’s a huge investment for those who are serious about it. The first year of training alone will run close to $1,500.” On a typical Tuesday night at the institute, James “The Boston Teabagger” Roberts and “Big” Sed Ware warm up. Standing in opposite corners of the 18-by-18-foot ring, the two casually hurl a 10-pound medicine ball back and forth. Roberts, who dons a Revolutionary War-era tricorne hat and colonial garb for shows, said he had been training with XCW since 2009, but initially had a hard time figuring out if professional wrestling was for him. “It seemed really vicious and I’m not going to lie –it scared me at

first,” he said. “I realized I needed to get over it if this was something I wanted to do and decided to go after it.” Since he began training, Roberts has been in five shows, describing each performance as the perfect combination of entertainment and athleticism. “Having fans cheering you on and holding the crowd in the palm of your hands is a great feeling,” he said. About 500 people came out for XCW’s April show at the “Beanstock” celebration at Cool Beans Bar and Grill. Dozens of Roberts’ fans – goaded on by the teabags the colonial warrior passed out beforehand – could be seen chanting “Teabagger” during his bout. Each professional wrestler develops their own character and persona, and storylines pitting “good guy” fan favorites against “bad guy” villains-you-love-tohate can become as intricate as the violent, choreographed matches. Chairs, chainsaws, cups of beer, samurai swords and other props are regularly integrated into fights. The fact that the outcomes of professional wrestling matches are rehearsed and predetermined does not detract from the authenticity or intensity of the sport, where injuries are common, Davis said. Beginners at the XCW Institute are not even allowed to step into the ring for a match until they have trained for at least one year, he said. Developing the hard shell necessary to withstand the heavy impact day in and day out is key

ON THE RECORD

during the first 12 months. During the first six weeks, beginners aren’t even allowed in the ring, which Davis said makes the XCW Institute different from a lot of other places. “Being in the ring is something that should be earned not only by hard work, but by everyone else here voting on whether or not a person deserves to be in there,” he said. Davis said the institute was open to anyone willing to sacrifice their bodies and put in the time and money. Along with showing trainees the ropes, XCW Institute puts on a “wrestling clinic” about every two months. The clinics feature different hosts, usually performers who made it to the mainstream circuit. The hosts share personal experiences, give advice and sometimes train with students at the institute. Davis said he hopes to open another location, also in Denton, sometime next year, with the eventual goal of resuming weekly shows. The camaraderie and the sense brotherhood among wrestlers at the institute makes it stand out from other wrestling organizations, said Sed Ware. Ware, who has been with XCW for seven years, said he welcomes those who think they have what it takes to endure the intense training offered by the institute. “Anybody who wants to try it out can come on,” he said. “We’ll show you a jolly good time.”’ll show you a jolly good time.” at the institute makes it stand out from other wrestling organizations, said Sed Ware. FRONT: “BIG SED” SEDRICK WARE TOP RIGHT: XCW WRESTLERS JAMES ROBERTS (LEFT), WARE AND DENTON XCW WRESTLING INSTITUTE OWNER NITE DAVIS SHARE A LAUGH BEFORE TRAINING BEGINS. MIDDLE: ROBERTS GASPS IN PAIN WHILE HE IS AGAINST THE ROPES. BOTTOM: ROBERTS RECEIVES A KICK TO THE FACE FROM WARE DURING AN ADVANCED TRAINING SESSION AT THE XCW WRESTLING INSTITUTE. PHOTOS BY PATRICK HOWARD

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ON THE RECORD

FIGHT CLUBS

A LOOK AT DENTON MMA BY RYNE GANNOE

eing fenced in a 750-square-foot octagon cage with another person who is out to punch, kick, slam or grapple his or her way to a victory is not everyone’s idea of fun. However, mixed martial arts is a growing phenomenon that has grown from its roots in Brazilian “anything goes” fights of the mid-1900s to a sport practiced in gyms around the world, including North Texas. Brought to the U.S. in 1993, the founding of the Ultimate Fighting Championship helped bring the nascent sport to a new audience. Each UFC fight consists of three fiveminute rounds, or five rounds in the case of a title fight. Regulated by state athletic commissions, MMA fighters are not allowed to bite, scratch or kick to the groin in sanctioned fights. Rules are in place for safety, but essentially anything else goes, including a wide variety of techniques and styles. One-dimensional MMA fighters are nonexistent – success in the sport requires knowledge of wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, kickboxing, karate and often many other styles. The UFC is the NFL or NBA of mixed martial arts, but there are plenty of minor leagues looking to find the next great fighter. Many of these farm-team players with big-league dreams train here in North Texas at one of two gyms: North Texas MMA of Flower Mound or Texas Elite MMA in Denton. “In all of Texas, not until the last three years have you seen a flood of fighters go to the big shows, the UFC, Pro Elite, all of that,” said Matt Larey, a UNT history graduate and instructor at North Texas MMA. “We’ve always had the talent.” In the past, location and marketing were problems MMA faced in North Texas, Larey said.

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Larey mentioned one of the gym’s fighters, six-foot 240-pound Tony Melton, as an up-and-comer to watch for. On June 16, Melton competes for the Immortal Kombat III vacant heavyweight title in Spring, TX. “Truthfully, it’s [the gym] got me back into shape,” Melton said. North Texas MMA’s cross-town rivals at Texas Elite MMA are also busy training for upcoming matches. Texas Elite Coach and Owner Kirk Gibson is slated to fight Josh Quayhagen July 7 at the International Extreme Fight Association in Vinton, Louisiana. “A lot of people see it on TV and don’t

understand that they can do it themselves,” Gibson said. “You don’t have to train to fight. You can just train as a way of life.” Gibson stresses that techniques can be learned, but it’s other intangibles that make a great fighter. “Technique can be taught to anyone, but respect and heart is something you’re kind of born with,” Gibson said. “So when I’m training somebody, what I mean by heart is that they don’t quit.” NORTH TEXAS MIXED MARTIAL ARTS COACH AND UNT ALUMNUS MATT LAREY PERFORMS A SUBMISSION ON A STUDENT. PHOTO BY PATRICK HOWARD

ON THE RECORD

IT’S BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND TURBINES POWER 40% OF DENTON ENERGY BY EMILY HOPKINS

bout 40 percent of the energy powering the lights in Denton is generated by 75 wind turbines spinning away about 45 miles northwest of Denton. Denton’s wind energy comes from 262-foot-tall General Electric turbines, each equipped with three 132-foot-long blades. Seventy-five turbines operate at Wolf Ridge Wind Farm, generating 112.5 megawatts of electrical power a day, the equivalent of powering 34,000 homes. Wolf Ridge, located near Muenster, Texas, provides 40 percent of Denton Municipal Electric’s energy. Denton Municipal Electric’s diverse power portfolio includes other energy sources: 50 percent from Gibbon’s Creek coal plant, one percent

from methane collected from the city landfill, and nine percent from miscellaneous sources provided through a power contract with NRG Power Marketing LLC. However, the general trend is moving Denton’s energy dependence toward more renewable source, said Brian Daskam, DME media coordinator. “There are a lot of people interested in renewable energy,” Daskam said. DME began its contract with Nextera Energy Resources LLC, parent company of Wolf Ridge, in 2009, a year after the wind farm began operation. Using the renewable wind energy from Muenster came at no additional cost to Denton residents. “When we were able to meet this demand for renewable energy with-

out raising rates, that was something that we knew would be popular with citizens,” Daskam said. For electrical power to travel from a wind turbine to homes in Denton, a built-in turbine computer turns the blades to face the wind. The blades then turn a generator, which creates electricity that is sent to a transformer at the turbine’s base. The electricity is transferred from a series of substations and transmission and distribution power lines to reach homes, businesses and schools. UNT, a customer of DME, receives the same benefits as Denton residents from wind energy. In 2011, UNT went a step further in promoting wind energy consumption by installing wind turbines at Eagle Point, near Apogee Stadium, to directly power facilities there.

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ON THE RECORD

“It’s such a clean energy source, there’s not going to be negative pollution as a result of having wind energy,” said Mendie Schmidt, assistant director of outreach in the UNT Office of Sustainability. The wind turbines located at Eagle Point provide an education tool or a visual representation of UNT’s commitment to clean sustainable energy, Schmidt said. The turbines are community-scale, 121 feet tall, significantly smaller than those at Wolf Ridge so that they don’t obstruct neighborhood views or generate abundant ambient noise. “Overall there was a high level of support for the project,” said Lauren Helixon, assistant director of operations in the Office of Sustainability, “It’s essential that you involve the stakeholders, and the community was a stakeholder in this project.” The $1 million turbines were paid for with a grant from the State Energy Conservation Office, and power about 6 percent of Eagle Point’s energy needs and about one-third of Apogee Stadium. The turbines will eliminate 323

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metric tons of carbon dioxide annually from being emitted into the atmosphere. The university is also attempting to conserve power and incorporate renewable energy through other projects. S.M.A.R.T, a $42 million performance contract, involves renovations for a more efficient building cooling

“

Our business is to supply Denton with energy.

”

system. Zero Energy Research Lab, a newly constructed building at Discovery Park, is powered by solar energy and is designed to test future sustainable energy technologies. The turbines at both Eagle Point

and Wolf Ridge are built for durability and have particularly long lifespans, only requiring maintenance every 25 years or so, Helixon said. The new University Union, still in its planning stages, includes blueprints to install solar panels to power the building. Texas is the No. 1 producer of wind energy in the nation, according to the Texas Energy Foundation. About one-third of the nation’s wind generation capacity is found in Texas. In 2010, DME purchased 539,000 MWh of wind energy from Wolf Ridge, enough to power 49,450 homes and prevent 424,128 tons of carbon dioxide, 206 tons of nitrogen oxide, and 1,257 tons of sulfur dioxide emissions. “Our business is to supply Denton with energy,” Daskam said. “The benefit [of wind energy] is it’s a more environmentally friendly power source.” WIND TURBINES AT THE WOLF RIDGE WIND FARM IN MUENSTER, TEXAS PROVIDE POWER DURING A CLEAR NIGHT. THE TURBINES PROVIDE 40 PERCENT OF DENTON’S ENERGY. PHOTO BY PATRICK HOWARD

BIKE RACK CITY

ON THE RECORD

A LOOK AT DENTON’S BIKE CULTURE

BY ASHLEY-CRYSTAL FIRSTLEY

t’s evident in the dozens of cyclists pedaling miles every Tuesday night. It’s in the thousands of city dollars going toward a new bike plan, or the new “share the road” arrows painted on Denton streets, and is apparent every time a mallet strikes a ball in a game of bike polo. Denton is home to an emerging culture of biking, a culture set to change in the near future at both a city-wide and personal level. “That’s one think I like about Denton, is that we’re still in that transitioning phase,” said Nathaniel Lightfoot, a treasurer at the nonprofit community bike shop Querencia. “If you go to places like Portland and Austin, or Denver, they have all these infrastructures in place but here we actually get to see it come about.”

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Bicycling: A growing trend UNT alumna Jillian Jordan said that 10 years ago, she couldn’t imagine biking becoming such a big deal in Denton. “The only people who rode their bikes back then were commuters, like [those who] lost their license or something,” Jordan said. UNT installed two bike repair stations on campus in the last year, and more bike racks are popping up all over the city. Construction of a pedestrian bridge over Loop 288, to be named after Martin Luther King, Jr., is set to begin in July, creating safer passage for pedestrians and cyclists, and Quakertown Park is due to get new paved paths. In 2011, Denton City Council unanimously approved the Safe Passing ordinance, encouraging the coexistence of automobiles and bikers on roads and requiring cars to maintain a distance of three feet when passing cyclists. A 10-year bike plan using $192,000 of a budget surplus was unanimously approved by the city council in February. According to a bike plan draft from July 2011, the plan calls for new bike lanes, routes and trails, the establishment of a regional annual bicycling event in Denton, among

other things. The plan outlines strategies to increase the safety and convenience of biking in the city. Some of the city’s surplus money, as well as funds donated by two county commissioners, will fund the first year of the plan. However, supporters such as Nathaniel Lightfoot are worried that when it comes to spending money on biking accommodations such as striped lanes, Denton may not live up to its word. “I hope that the city [goes] through with plans and we get a decent amount of infrastructures,” Lightfoot said. “Recently, we’ve done nothing but lose bike lanes in Denton.” Biking groups Bicycling is more than just a mode of transportation for Dentonites. It’s a hobby. It’s a sport. It’s empowerment. Lightfoot and his friend Eric Uphoff founded North Texas Bike Polo about two years ago. The group plays at 3 p.m. every Sunday at Mack Park. Players ride around a court in circles, steering their bikes with one hand while using the other hand to wield long polo mallets and strike a small rubber ball. Games can last hours.

ON THE RECORD There’s a good reason for the mandatory helmet rule: the game is all in good fun, but things can get competitive and aggressive, Lightfoot said. “We kind of get looked at funny by a lot of cyclists and a lot of people in town,” he said. “We’re not all avid cyclists. A great number of the people who play are faculty or teachers.” About 30 to 50 cyclists meet up outside the UNT Language Building on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. for Tuesday Bike Night. The group cruises the streets of Denton, choosing different routes. “The culture for it here is underground,” said Howard Draper, a local bike activisit who runs the blog Bike Denton. “I tend to not blog about all those things on Bike Denton because I don’t to want to ruin it. I don’t want define the culture for everybody else.”

“

of Lightfoot’s, was hit by a car April 27 on Locust Street while he was riding home from the Denton Arts and Jazz fest. Sparks passed away six days later in the first bike-related death in Denton since 2005. Lightfoot said he has had a beer bottle

he gets contacted about incidents almost three times a week. “The first thing I ask them is, ‘Did you call the police?’ Because if you didn’t call the police then I can’t collaborate with getting details,” Draper said. “If you’re riding a bike – there’s no education for it, there’s no guidance, there’s no lanes in the streets of Denton, there’s no cues that tells the bikers how to behave.” Bike enthusiasts hope that as the culture, laws and infrastructure of biking in Denton changes, the city will become a safer, bike-friendlier place. “I think you could see the movements and such, but it’s still a long ways off,” music senior Nate Mattingly said. “It’s still a work-in-progress.”

We kind of get looked at funny by a lot of cyclists and a lot of people in town

Bike accidents Denton resident Casey Sparks, a friend

thrown at him and has almost been hit by several vehicles. “So it’s kind of intimidating and the reason why a lot of people don’t ride around Denton is because they don’t feel safe,” he said. The Denton Police Department did not collect information on bicycle accidents until 2009. Draper said accident underreporting is a problem when trying to keep up with the frequency of bike accidents, but said

”

FRONT: BIKERS RIDE ON HICKORY ST. TUESDAY NIGHT JUNE 6. THE GROUP MEETS AT THE UNT LANGUAGE BUILDING AT 9 P.M. AND ROLL OUT BY 9:30 P.M. EVERY TUESDAY. RIDING ROUTES CHANGE EVERY WEEK AND ARE TYPICALLY 7 TO 10 MILES. PHOTO BY JAMES COREAS

JUNE 2012

ON THE RECORD

HOME SWEET HOME

DENTON’S UNIQUE HOUSE BUSINESSES BY BEN PEYTON

entonites don’t have to venture far from the comfort of their own residences to find themselves at home. Many of the city’s most popular restaurants, bars and clubs are in old, often historic, houses. Offering a refreshing change of pace from cookie-cutter style restaurant chains are these one of a kind in-house businesses, each with its own character and ever-evolving story. Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant If you ever pay a visit to Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant, you’ll most likely find yourself enjoying a relaxing and intimate candlelit dinner. Forty years ago, a trip to 821 N. Locust St. would have been a less pleasant experience. The house, built in 1938, was occupied by L.W. MacKenna Dentist’s office in the 1960s after its initial residents moved out. A handful of other businesses set up shop in the former home before it became one of Denton’s most wellknown restaurants. Owner Giuseppe Brownell said he knew he had found his dream restaurant the second he walked in. “A house was the last thing I was looking for,” Brownell said. “The minute I walked in I said ‘This is the spot.’” Brownell believes that cozy features of the house such as its rustic wood floors

JUNE 2012

add a lot to the experience that keeps Denton residents coming back. Hoochie’s Oyster Bar The recently-opened Hoochie’s Oyster Bar at 207 S. Bell Ave. is a testament to some of the difficulties involved in turning a house into a functional restaurant. The house was moved from Elm Street to serve as an office building for the Denton Arts Council before becoming a Bail Bonds office and eventually Hoochie’s, although trouble getting the building up to code delayed the restaurant’s March opening. “The little yellow house took a lot of work to get it back to snuff,” said owner Sam Solomon. “[But] it makes people feel at home when they walk in.” Cups and Crepes Patrick Will and his wife always feel at home when they walk into this threestory Victorian-style house, complete with their very own restaurant on the bottom floor. The Wills both work and live in Cups and Crepes, a quaint coffee and breakfast café at 309 Fry St. “It’s the only place I drink coffee,” Patrick Will said. Will bought what was then an apartment complex in 1989 before beginning the process of converting it into Cups and Crepes in 2004.

“It’s my wife’s dream,” Will said. “I like having a happy wife; she likes having a breakfast place.” The cozy café relies on the college community’s bike and foot traffic. “I enjoy the social part of it. I enjoy Fry Street and the college kids.” Oak Street Drafthouse Offering 50 different draft beers, including 20 from Texas, is enough motivation for anyone to visit the Oak Street Drafthouse. However, the Drafthouse stands out from most typical drinking establishments. “I am a sports fan but not having TVs, you know, you have to talk to people,” owner John Williams said. Located at 308 E. Oak St., the third oldest house in Denton, the bar features photographs depicting the city’s history and furniture that would not be out of place in your grandmother’s living room. Sometimes, a home’s history keeps coming back: Williams said a past resident of the house regularly drops by the Drafthouse. Williams said Sam Saul Jr., who lived in the house from 1933 to 1952, still comes by once a month to have a beer and look back on fond memories of his old home. CUPS AND CREPES HOUSE ON FRY STREET SERVES BREAKFAST AND BRUNCH. PHOTO BY AMBER PLUMLEY

ON THE RECORD

ASHLEY GRANT SENIOR STAFF WRITER

building, renovations at the Emily Fowler Public Library and many other buildings in the city. Born in Pink Hill, Texas, Ford moved to Denton in 1917. His Texas roots heavily influenced his architectural design style, said Peggy Riddle, director of the Denton County Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum. “Because Texas is known for its heat, most BY ASHLEY GRANT of his structures would have porches or

A TEXAS ARCHITECT

National Council on the Arts by President Lyndon B. Johnson and remains the only human to ever be given the title of National Historic Landmark.

Ford’s Story

who died in 1982, is behind THE LIFEFord, AND WORK OF O’NEIL FORD the distinguished design of the Little Chapel in the Woods at Texas Woman’s University, the gazebo that still stands on UNT campus near the Language

JUNE 2012

ON THE RECORD

he blend of modernism and Texas traditionalism evident in some of Denton’s most iconic buildings can be attributed to the singular style of O’Neil Ford, a longtime Denton resident who was one of the most renowned and prominent architects in the U.S. In his lifetime, Ford was appointed to the National Council on the Arts by President Lyndon B. Johnson and remains the only human to ever be given the title of National Historic Landmark. Ford, who died in 1982, is behind the distinguished design of the Little Chapel in the Woods at Texas Woman’s University, the gazebo that still stands on UNT campus near the Language building, renovations at the Emily Fowler Public Library and many other buildings in the city. Ford’s Story Born in Pink Hill, Texas, Ford moved to Denton in 1917. His Texas roots heavily influenced his architectural design style, said Peggy Riddle, director of the Denton County Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum. “Because Texas is known for its heat, most of his structures would have porches or covered verandas attached,” she said. “You know it’s a Ford building because of those additions.” Ford graduated from Denton High School and briefly studied at North Texas State Teachers College, now UNT, said Kathy Strauss, special collections librarian at the Emily Fowler Central Library. When asked about his architectural influences in later years, Ford would tell people he used to stand in front of the Courthouse-on-the-Square as a little boy and marvel at how it ever got up, said Mike Cochran, a local historian and former city councilman. Ford received very little technical training, and obtained his architectural

JUNE 2012

certificate by mail. Strauss said Ford and a friend took odd jobs around the city, including picking up bricks for Acme Brick for a penny each. Ford would hang out around construction sites to learn construction techniques. Ford’s Work The first house Ford ever designed, located at 1819 N. Bell Ave., is now owned and maintained by TWU. Ford went on to produce more significant architecture in Denton and San Antonio. One of Denton’s finest architectural gems designed by Ford, The Little Chapel in the Woods at TWU, has received several accolades and was named “One of the 10 Best Buildings in Texas” by Texas Monthly magazine. Deborah Gillespie, coordinator of conference services at UNT, said Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt spoke at the chapel’s dedication, ending with the words, “May the use of this chapel be a blessing to you all.” Gillespie said art students also helped with the construction of the chapel in 1938 and worked on the colorful stained glass windows. “They must have known that this would be something passed down for generations,” she said. In 2009, a Texas historical marker in Ford’s honor was dedicated at the Emily Fowler Public Library. Preservation controversy The unclear fate of the building that once housed the Fairhaven Retirement Home – there is debate as to whether or not Ford was involved in its design – complicates the future of historic buildings in Denton, including those designed by Ford. A private group of investors is seeking a zoning change for the property the building is on, drawing the opposition of

Denton’s Historical Landmark Commission and others. “They’re trying to take away his credit for participating in that because he didn’t sign the architectural seal,” Cochran said. “They want to tear it down, but don’t want to admit it so they’re trying to conjure up this false controversy.” City council members and Denton historians are currently assessing buildings that may have historical significance. Riddle said she is planning on creating a team to help document all of Ford’s buildings in Denton County and implement some type of registry for them. “It’s important to keep these structures around because once they go away, all we will have are photographs to document their existence instead of the actual building,” Riddle said. TOP: COURTESTY PHOTO OF A YOUNG O’NEIL FORD OPPOSITE LEFT: THE LITTLE CHAPEL IN THE WOODS AT TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY WAS COMPLETED IN 1939. ELEANOR ROOSEVEwLT SPOKE AT THE DEDICATION. BOTTOM LEFT TO RIGHT: FORD-DESIGED BUILDINGS: 1819 N.BELL AVE., FAIRHAVEN RETIREMENT HOME AND DENTON CITY HALL PHOTOS BY TYLER CLEVELAND

ON THE RECORD

A BREAK FROM REALITY DENTONITES UNITE OVER GAMES, COMICS BY KATIE OLSON

here exists an unfortunate stereotype of certain segments of modern American youth: sitting alone in a basement, spending hours with either a stack of comic books or a computer buzzing from the effort of running the latest video game. However, in Denton, watching televised video game competitions, playing Dungeons and Dragons and dressing up like characters from comic books aren’t individual pursuits, but community events that bring together all walks of life. Vigilant Video Gamers UNT computer science graduate Joey Lietchy started “Barcraft” in Denton when he realized that there was a sizable group of people with a shared interest of watching online gamers duke it out by playing a strategy game, “Starcraft,” that calls on mastering economy management

and about 100 different units, each with very specific attributes. Barcraft brings together dozens of Dentonites at venues around Denton to watch professional, televised matches of the popular game. “I bought a 120-inch projector screen and a projector and I get in there about an hour early before the competition starts and we log into the stream. Then I set up the computer and press go and we just watch the finals,” Lietchy said. The game is a phenomenon in South Korea, where matches have been televised for years and top players enjoy a celebrity similar to American professional sports players. That same fervor is beginning to catch on around the U.S., including Denton. “It’s that kind of culture that’s beginning to peak its head,” Lietchy said. “And as result it’s become a social event. There’s a

nerd community that wants to watch this with their friends.” The first Denton Barcraft inspired about 250 people to gather around a projector screen and watch a computer game unfold. “I was overwhelmed and not ready at all. I was hoping there’d be like 20 people. We have a solid following now, anywhere from 40 to 80 people,” Lietchy said. He said that anyone was welcome to take part, and the same group that regularly gathers to watch Starcraft competes at other video games. “It’s not just Starcraft. We set up other TV’s and stuff around the area for competitions like ‘Mario Brothers,’ ‘Gears of War’ and ‘Halo,’” he said. Tabletop Time The somewhat more conventional UNT Gamers’ Club meets during the fall and

JUNE 2012

ON THE RECORD spring semesters to play tabletop and card games that fall outside of the norm – the club rarely whips out “Scrabble” or “Battleship.” “When people think board games they think ‘Monopoly’ and that’s not really what we’re about,” said UNT Gamers’ President and journalism senior Michael Hutchins. “A lot of the games we play are Europeanstyle board games that are mainly about economy or building something.” The group plays game such as “Settlers of Catan,” “Magic: the Gathering” and occasionally “Pokemon.” Hutchins said the gamers usually attract the most attention when playing Mahjong, a heated fourplayer game similar to rummy. UNT Gamers’ Club is registered as a sports club, and Hutchins said the group is thrilled to see newcomers take a shot at a tabletop game. “I look to it as it were as giving the sports club family something they wouldn’t normally have,” Hutchins said. “We get people who normally wouldn’t come to the rec center even if they’re life depended on it.” Hutchins hopes that students at UNT will be more aware that the Gamerss’ Club exists and will welcome anyone who wants

to join. Cosplay: When play isn’t enough “Cosplay,” a combination of the words “costume” and “play,” is a catch-all term for anyone dressing up as an anime, video game or movie character.

“

Don’t knock it until you try it, you might have a bit of fun.

”

Behavior analysis senior Seth Jones started cosplaying in 2008 after attending his first anime convention the previous year. “When I first went I didn’t know how many people actually dressed up but after attending I kind of got jealous and I wanted to cosplay and get my pictures taken as well,” he said. Jones has cosplayed several characters,

including Kakashi and Ichigo from “Naruto” and “Bleach and Power Rangers,” respectively. Jones doesn’t limit his cosplay to anime conventions, or A-kons. He and his friends will gather and cosplay at the mall, sometimes even ice skating in full cosplay. Despite the fact that cosplay originally with fans dressing up as anime or video game characters, it’s branched out to American comics and cartoons such as “Adventure Time” and “My Little Pony.” Jones believes cosplay isn’t strictly meant for anime.. “I think cosplay is evolving, essentially,” he said. “In my opinion, it’s meant to incorporate many different things because it is called costume-play. Jones admits cosplay may be a little strange to the uninitiated, he urged people to keep an open mind. “It’s a way to get away from the world and have fun and relax and be silly,” Jones said. “Don’t knock it until you try it, you might have a bit of fun.” ANDREW HORNICE POSES FOR A PORTRAIT AT A-KON ON SUNDAY, JUNE 3, AT THE SHERATON DALLAS HOTEL. FOR HIS FOURTH YEAR ATTENDING HE COSPLAY’S AS SYMBIOTE SPIDER-MAN. PHOTO BY JAMES COREAS

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ON THE RECORD

RESEARCH FLYING HIGH PROFESSOR HELPS CONSERVATION EFFORT BY EMILY HOPKINS

n about 15 years, the population of South Asia’s Oriental White-backed Vulture declined by 99 percent – from millions to less than 10,000 – killed by a contamination of the birds’ food supply. It started with cattle, who, shortly after being treated for arthritic symptoms with an anti-inflammatory drug, would die. Vultures who feasted on the dead cattle would die within 24 hours, again and again, deteriorating the species’ population and motivating scientists to investigate. Researchers at UNT are trying to understand the factors of endangerment and extinction and to aid in reversing the trend. Assistant professor of biology Jeff Johnson has been studying avian species since 1998, and is currently focusing on endangered birds of prey such as hawks, falcons, eagles and vultures. Conservation is the main focus of Johnson’s work. His research is used in conservation management practices by organizations focused on avian preservation. “All of the projects that are conducted in my lab that we focus on have a really strong conservation applied component to it,” Johnson said. Since 2003, Johnson has partnered with 24

the Peregrine Fund, a nonprofit organization focused on birds of prey conservation, such as the Oriental White-backed Vulture. By partnering with organizations and individuals in biology conservation, similar programs at UNT are able to accomplish more. “The reward for me is that I’m contributing to conservation,” Johnson said. Growing up in a rural area allowed Johnson to observe animals and nature around him. His interest in the natural world started young and followed him through his career in education. With a bachelor’s degree in biology, a a master’s degree in zoology and a doctorate in biology focused on avian species, Johnson is armed to tackle complex questions that arise in his research. Johnson and other researchers at UNT look at factors such as a species’ habitat, food supply, environment and genetics to identify causes that lead to endangerment. He does not always have the opportunity to conduct field research to study a bird population’s trends first hand. Instead, the species’ body size, physical health, general appearance and genetics are examined us-

ing samples of feathers, blood or tissue. Masters and undergraduate students aid Johnson in his laboratory work. Students instructed in Johnson’s lab gain valuable information on conservation practices and laboratory skills. Vice President for Economic Research and Development Geoff Gamble is interested in promoting undergraduate skills by allowing students to get hands on laboratory research experience. It is invaluable for students to work firsthand in researching their chosen field of study, Gamble said. “As an undergraduate I think [getting lab experience] is the best thing you can do to get your foot in the door,” said biology masters’ student Stephanie Galla. Sometimes it takes education to help save the world, Johnson said. “Part of conservation is education,” he said. BECCA WILSON OF THE ELM FORK NATURAL HERITAGE MUSEUEM, LOCATED IN THE ENVVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE BUILDING, HOLDS A PAINTED BUNTING THAT WAS FOUND IN NORTH TEXAS. THE MUSEUM HOLDS MANY OTHER WILDLIFE THAT HAS BEEN FOUND IN NORTH TEXAS. PHOTO BY AMBER PLUMLEY

JUNE 2012

ON THE RECORD

GOING WITH THE FLOW

HOW DENTON GETS ITS WATER SO TASTY

BY BEN PEYTON

or residents of Denton, some of the best-tasting water in the country is always on tap. The city was a top-5 finalist in the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ 2011 “Best Tasting City Water in America” contest, and the state of Texas recently awarded Denton with “superior” water status. Two separate water treatment facilities are constantly at work, churning millions of gallons of natural water into a superior product that meets the demands of almost 120,000 residents. Lake Ray Roberts Water Treatment facility operator Ken Blount said water quality is tested every fifteen minutes to ensure the water’s excellence is never compromised, a process he called a cut above the spot-checking conducted by bottled water companies. As water moves through the various stages of the treatment process, it gradually becomes cleaner and has a visibility similar to that of a swimming pool. “It’s always inviting,” Blount said. But Blount and the experienced team of facility operators know that there’s more to be done before anyone can take a dip. The first stage of the treatment process begins with water drawn from both Lake Ray Roberts and Lake Lewisville. The water then goes through a coagulation and flocculation process, where the chemical compound ferric sulfate is used to clump up the “sludge” found in the water. After that, the water enters the second stage of the process, called sedimentation, where the sludge is given time to settle to the bottom before the top layer of water is scooped out and given a minimal dose of chlorine with ammonia at the Lake Lewisville plant and Ozone at the Lake Ray Roberts plant. The Lake Lewisville Treatment Plant will soon join the Lake Ray Roberts Water Treatment Plant in using the safer and more effective cleaning agent, Ozone, said regulatory coordinator Kathy Gault. “The safety has always been there, said Kathy Gault, regulatory coordinator at the Lake Lewisville plant. “I think we have JUNE 2012

the safest plant anywhere.” With the addition of Ozone, the two water treatment plants will give all Denton residents the same greattasting water. stage of the process, called filtration, uses anthracite, sand, and gravel to rid the water of any leftover sediment and then gives it a final minimal dose of chlorine mixed with other nonharmful chemicals to ensure that it arrives safely from the plant to your home. While the process is fairly standard, the demands are not. Fluctuating water demands mean that the plants are constantly making adjustments to meet the city’s needs. Despite these s t r e s s e s, the treatments plants have never been forced to turn to emergency status or ration water, DENTON’S WATER CLEANING PROCESS even in the case of last summer’s “In the beginning we had to learn a drought. better way to operate,” Gault said. The city of Denton uses an estimated Now it seems the plant, armed with an 18.5 million gallons a day (mgd), and both alphabet’s worth of backup plans, has plants combined have a max output of figured out the balancing act, and plans about 50 mgd. to stay on top of the water world. Plans The Lake Ray Roberts Plant, which are even in place to begin checking the is set to expand its 20 mgd capacity to water for different hormones. 100 million mgd in the next several, is “The water in Denton is going to get a equipped with backup generators to keep lot better in the future,” Blount said. showers, dishwashers and slip n’ slides GRAPHIC BY ANDREW TELLEZ going in case of a power outage. 25

ON THE RECORD

A LOOK UNDER THE HOOD PETERBILT MOTORS PLANT IN DENTON BY JASON YANG

arth is under attack. While the planet is in a state of chaos, four asteroids hurtle through space. Struggling to conceal robotic, humanoid forms after making their fiery landings, the asteroidsturned-alien-robots morph into cars for cover. While most of the robots from the movie “Transformers” choose speed over size, their leader, Optimus Prime, selects heavy duty, blue truck with a red flame decal – model 379 by Peterbilt Motors, manufactured at the company’s plant in Denton. The fictional robot commander’s choice is sensible. Peterbilt is one of three major American truck manufacturing companies and a “Fortune” top-160 company. Founded in 1939, Peterbilt opened its manufacturing facility in Denton in 1980. By 1993, Denton was also home to

the company’s headquarters and its lone U.S. manufacturing plant. With 1,500 to 1,700 nonunion workers, Peterbilt is the 8th largest employer in Denton County, according to the county’s budget office. Bill Kozek, general manager and Paccar [Peterbilt’s parent company] vice president, looks, on the outside, like a standard corporate everyman: pinstripe suit, crisp white shirt and tie. Underneath the businessman exterior is a man with experience in just about every aspect of truck manufacturing. With the experience he has accumulated in 25 years at the company, Kozek said he intends to keep steering Peterbilt in the right direction, putting out quality trucks and creating jobs in Denton. The quality and care that goes into turning thousands of pounds of metal into road-ready trucks is evident at the

Peterbilt plant. Employees – dressed in navy workshirts, navy or khaki pants, steel-toed shoes, safety goggles and gloves – work restlessly at different assembly lines amidst a cacophony of banging parts and showers of sparks, while the smell of oil extends throughout the factory. These employees construct and inspect the trucks, while engineers also inspect the trucks for safety and additional modifications. Bill Chaney, owner of Chaney Truck Company in Roanoke, has been a client of Peterbilt since the 1970s. Chaney said he buys Peterbilt trucks for quality product and high resale value, but really values the company’s relationship with the community. “Mary Kay was a big customer and wanted pink trucks,” Kozek said. “So we built some of the most beautiful pink trucks I’ve ever seen.”

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JUNE 2012

ON THE RECORD

WAYS TO STAY THRIFTY OPINION: LITTLE D’S AFFORDABLE FINDS BY H. DREW BLACKBURN

e have all heard the tired phrase “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure,” before. However, those words ring particularly true in Denton, Texas. With a surplus of thrifty stores, it is virtually impossible to not pick up some affordable, prized items while out shopping. Here are some places you should be scouring for treasure. Mad World Records 115 W. Hickory St. Mad World Records is Denton’s lone record store. There are definitely a large number of places that sell records and have a wider selection, but at Mad World you’ll get specificity and the chance to listen to some great music as you peruse the store. Mad World has both new releases and classics in stock, as well as a quirky used record section full of hidden gems. A huge section of CDs from local bands and a vintage Atari game system are stowed away in the back. Recycled Books 200 N. Locust St. When nerds die, it’s entirely possible they go to Recycled Books, Records and CD’s. Recycled carries books for anybody with a spark of literacy. What are you into? Metaphysics? Got that. Oh, you’re into pulp mystery novels from the 60s? Got that. You’re into 18th century novels written during the Romantic period? You can find that in the Classic Literature section. Books on sports, bird watching, music, plays, humor and more fill the shelves.

owned by the same person he replied, “Possibly” in a polite, mysterious Southern drawl. That vagueness is appropriate for the sense of fantasy and mysticism inherent to these two stores, which together look something like the ultimate pack rat’s basement. The Downtown Mini Malls have anything and everything. These mini malls have to be the most majestic places where it’s possible to find a vintage “Playboy,” “The Mask” on VHS and a crock-pot in a matter of seconds. Circa 77 227A W. Oak St. Fashionistas rejoice, this is the place to grab some cool vintage clothing. Circa 77 carries a lot of snazzy dresses and retro clothing for the ladies. The men’s section pales in comparison to the labyrinthine women’s collection, but this is nothing new in fashion stores. Circa 77 houses an impressive collection of band T-shirts, which is especially good news for those who get excited at the thought of owning a Billy Joel concert tee.

Denton Thrift 708 W. University Dr. Everything here is cheap, and that’s not meant as an insult. There are a bunch of terrible clothes in this place, but if you sift through the racks on racks on racks you can surely find some nice clothes and pay very little for them. Denton Thrift also has some cool artwork, most notably a huge family portrait for six dollars. I bought a ceramic Lil’ Jon-esque chalice for $2 on a recent visit. If you’re “ballin’ on a budget” and want gently worn secondhand clothing or quirky art and dishware, this is the place to be.

Downtown Mini Malls 108 N. Locust & 118 N. Locust St. Store employee Joe said Downtown Mini Mall I has been around for around 30 years and Downtown Mini Mall II has been around for about 20. When asked if the mini malls were

JUNE 2012

ON THE RECORD

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? BY NADIA HILL

LARRY MCMURTRY

Writer and UNT graduate Larry McMurtry’s first found success by writing an 840-page Western epic criticizing the genre he became famous in. After writing more than 20 novels including the Western classic

BY HOLLY HARVEY

DR. PHIL

Bestselling author and nationally syndicated talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw started out his career by writing about psychological effects in rheuma-

“Lonesome Dove,” winning an Oscar for his work on the “Brokeback Mountain” screenplay, suffering and surviving a heart attack and nursing himself back to health, McMurtry returned to his hometown in Archer City, TX. Writing a sequel to his bestseller Lonesome Dove inspired a new chapter in his life, and he went on to turn the original novel into a successful series. While piecing together his lifelong dream of transforming a town into multiple bookstores full of rare, used

works, McMurtry found a new lease on life. Archer City now boasts four buildings with more than a million books collected from around the world, and continues to grow under McMurtry’s watch. Writing fiction was McMurtry’s life for as long as he could remember, but sharing works of art and leaving a lasting impression is an unfolding passion for the writer.

toid arthritis at UNT. From there, the North Texas graduate launched a career that has ballooned into a $200 million empire of TV shows, bestselling books and self-help seminars. McGraw earned his master’s and Ph.D. in psychology from UNT in 1979. He started his own private practice and that assisted with jury selection and behavioral analysis, according to McGraw’s website. After Oprah Win-

frey used his service to win a legal case, he began appearing on her program, “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in 1998. After his many guest appearances on television, “The Dr. Phil Show” debuted in 2002 and is now in its 10th season. McGraw has written four bestselling books and has appeared in TV and film. He gave the commencement address at UNT’s master and doctoral ceremony in 2011.

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JUNE 2012

ON THE RECORD

FROM SUN BELT TO C-USA UNT ATHLETICS MOVING CONFERENCES BY RYNE GANNOE & KYLE HARTY

he Mean Green nation is moving. UNT Athletics will join Conference USA officially on July 1, 2013, leaving behind the Sun Belt Conference for good. UNT has been a member of the Sun Belt, which includes no other Texas universities, since 2001. UNT now has the opportunity to build new, local rivalries. “This is validation that the progress we have made in our athletic programs in conjunction with our university’s academic reputation has made us a suitable for high standards of Conference USA,” Athletic Director Rick Villarreal said in a press release. “Conference USA provides a great partnership with several schools in our geographic proximity and will help all of us create outstanding regional rivalries.” Also joining Conference USA are Florida International, Louisiana Tech, University of Texas San Antonio, Uni-

versity of North Carolina Charlotte and, most recently, Old Dominion. The influx of new members is the result of four C-USA schools – University of Houston, Southern Methodist, University of Central Florida and University of Memphis – leaving for the Big East. Because of the possibility of further conference shakeup, including the potential for additional teams, divisions in the conference have yet to be established. During a press conference announcing the move, UNT President V. Lane Rawlins said it was a move forward for Mean Green Athletics. “I simply think this is the next stage for the University of North Texas,” Rawlins said. He said that it was a big plus for fans to be able to travel with the team to closer away games and would help bring more visitors to North Texas

games. North Texas and UTSA will join Rice and the University of Texas-El Paso in CUSA, bringing the total of Texas athletics programs in the conference to four. Louisiana Tech and Tulsa are also within a five-hour drive of Denton. Conference USA commissioner Britton Banowsky outlined why UNT fits in Conference USA. “Our plan is one that focuses on large universities in growing markets and North Texas fits the bill perfectly,” Banowski said at UNT’s press conference. “It also focuses on universities and athletic programs that have athletic excellence in their history, and have great coaches and a lot of promise. The athletic-competitive piece is definitely the case at this university.” GRAPHIC BY ANDREW TELLEZ

THE FUTURE OF CONFERENCE USA

JUNE 2012

ON THE RECORD

HANDMADE MADE EASY

GRAD CRAFTS, SELLS GOODS AT HOME BY MICHELLE HEATH

orey Troiani taught himself how to make soap one night while living in the dining room of his brother’s apartment. “I did some research and attempted to figure it out over night, and I did,” Troiani said. “Sort of.” Troiani, who graduated from UNT this spring with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, uses a cold-process soap-making technique, which involves mixing various heated oils with water and lye. He blends everything in a kitchen mixer he borrowed from his dad and uses an assortment of essential oils for different scents and colors. Troiani’s original concern was making chemical-free soap for his skin, but continued experimentation eventually lead to the creation of Bernard Street Handmade Goods. He runs the business from his house at 1112 Bernard St., selling allnatural products at an affordable price. Troiani’s inventory sits on a bookshelf in his home and includes all-natural soaps, lip balms, teas, herbal blends, bath bombs, essential oils, clay masks, deodor-

ant and more. Bernard Street Handmade Goods officially registered and became a business in December 2010 with the goal of raising awareness about the use and availability of safe hygienic products in the community. “It’s a family business. It’s a college kid business,” Troiani said. “It’s a Denton thing all around.” Troiani said he has invested at least $1,500 in handmade goods and has made most of that back, although profit isn’t his No. 1 concern. “When it comes to starting a business, it’s such a high capital-investment,” Troiani said. “It doesn’t start paying itself off for a long time. It’s probably just about to pay itself off.” When Troiani made his first bar of soap, he said he never considered selling all-natural goods on a large scale. However, it didn’t take long for Troiani’s products to catch on with UNT students and Denton residents. He began holding workshops at his house to show others the ropes. “It’s really educational and you actually get to see the process so you know for a fact what’s going into the products and

how it’s made instead of relying on big companies,” anthropology senior Bianca Westrup said. Westrup gave some items from Bernard Street Handmade Goods to her family, inspiring her sister, Sarah Westrup to set up a workshop for the Fibers Club last semester. “Since the workshop, I have made my own deodorant at home and can never imagine using anything else,” Sarah, a UNT alumna, said. On August 1, Troiani will move from 1112 Bernard St. with hopes of travelling to Chile in October to work on an organic farm. Although Troiani is closing up shop at the end of the summer, he said he will be working on a zine, a 20-page pamphlet that explains how to make all his products, including items he does not sell. He plans on selling the zines at local coffee shops and out of his house. “When I leave this will be my legacy,” Troiani said. “Take over my business. Do it yourself. Make it your own.” COREY TROIANI CREATES A SOAP MOLD AT HIS HOUSE. PHOTO BY MICHELLE HEATH

JUNE 2012

ON THE RECORD

BY THE NUMBERS

18,500,000 GALLONS OF WATER USED PER DAY IN THE CITY OF DENTON

TURBINES OPERATE AT WOLF RIDGE WIND FARM GENERATING 112.5 MW OF ELECTRICAL POWER a day.

RESEARCH CLUSTERS AT UNT

900

223 Bottles OF JIM BEAM SOLD AT LUCKY LOU”S IN MAY

NUMBER OF SCHOOLS JOINING CONFERENCE USA

AGE OF THE OLDEST PIECE IN THE TEXAS FASHION COLLECTION

GRAPHICS BY SAMANTHA GUZMAN & PARNIA TAHAMZADEH JUNE 2012

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